BACKGROUND: Ascites is a metabolic disease that has negative effects on broiler chickens. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the effect of cold induced ascites on performance, meat quality and quantity indices and some blood indices of broiler chickens with cold induced ascites. METHODS: Three hundred one-day-old female chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with two treatments of control (under normal temperature) and ascitic (under cold stress) with five replicates and 30 birds per each replicate. RESULTS: The results showed that cold-induced ascites caused the lower performance, carcass weight and thigh and breast meat (P<0.05). Furthermore, ascites caused the increased anus temperature and thigh lightness (L) and redness (a) at day 42 of age (P<0.05). Cold induced ascites decreased the enzymes of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, uric acid, albumen and malondihaldehyde in blood at day 42 of age (P<0.05). The higher blood hematocrit and hemoglobin were observed in ascetic birds (P<0.05). CONLUSIONS: In conclusion, cold induced ascites increase the meat lightness through the increased peroxidation and decreased antioxidants of the body. Moreover, ascites cause the higher anus temperature by increasing the body basal metabolism.

BACKGROUND: Neospora caninum is one of the most important pathogenic protozoan parasites causing bovine abortion around the world. Objectives: The aim of this study was to detect the presence of Neospora caninum in the brain, cerebellum and medulla oblongata of aborted fetuses in cattle in Arak by means of molecular method. Methods: 38 samples of brain, cerebellum and medulla oblongata from aborted fetuses in dairy cattle of Arak were tested for the presence of Neospora with nested-PCR. Results: Survey findings indicated the presence of DNA in 26.3 % of aborted fetal brains. In the cerebellum and medulla oblongata samples no Neospora caninum  DNA was detected. There was a significant relationship between neosporosis and maternal age (number of calvings), abortion history and the presence of dogs in the herd. Conclusions: The results showed a significant association between the infection and the number of abortions in the examined cows; As a result it seems that neosporosis could be an important factor in epidemic abortions in Arak city’s dairy farms which requires continuous monitoring and implementation of prevention programs in the dairy industry.

BACKGROUND: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an acute and highly contagious viral disease of small ruminants that is characterized by high fever, ocular and nasal discharge, pneumonia, necrosis, ulceration of the mucous membranes and inflammation of the gastro-intestinal tract leading to severe diarrhea. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus infection in sheep and cattle in Ahvaz. METHODS: Blood samples were taken from 100 cattle and 100 sheep that were kept together from different parts of Ahvaz. Blood samples were also taken from 16 vaccinated sheep   against PPR for positive control. The sera were separated by centrifuge at 3000 ×g for 10 minutes and 3 mL of serum was harvested and stored at -20 °C until determination of antibody against PPR using VN method. RESULTS: The peste des petits ruminants (PPR) antibody seroprevalence was 23% in cattle and 58% in sheep and all the sheep samples collected for control were positive for PPR antibody. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates serological evidence for the natural transmission of PPRV from sheep to cattle under natural conditions and provides baseline information on prevalence of PPRV antibodies in cattle and sheep population in Ahvaz.

BACKGROUND: Leptin as a cytokine-like hormone is derived from ob gene (one of the major effect genes on birth weight and growth traits) and is secreted by adipose tissue. This hormone with binding to its receptors in the hypothalamus, inhibits food intake and increases energy consumption. OBJECTIVES: There is not any report about expression of leptin gene in response to oral administration of selenium in livestock. In the present study, the effects of selenium nanoparticle and sodium selenite on the transcription of leptin gene in placenta were studied. METHODS: Twenty, four-month pregnant ewes within the same age were selected randomly. During the 21 days leading up to birth, oral administration of selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) with dosages of 0.05 and 0.10 mg/kg B.W. and sodium selenite with dosage of 0.1 mg/kg B.W. was carried out. At the same time the control group was fed distilled water in equal volume. With sampling of the placenta during childbirth, transcription amount of leptin gene was determined by RT PCR Real Time based on a comparison assay of 2-ΔΔCt. Results: The results of this study showed that leptin gene is expressed in placental tissue. The oral administration of selenium nanoparticle and sodium selenite caused a significant increment in terms of expression of mentioned gene in comparison to the control treatment. Also, there was a significant difference between the supplements, so that the highest leptin gene expression in placenta was observed in selenium nanoparticle treatment with dose of 0.1 mg and then supplement with selenium nanoparticles with dose of 0.05 mg. CONCLUSIONS: Selenium causes an increment of leptin gene expression in placental tissue.

BACKGROUND: Reproductive diseases are among the most important life threatening problems in captive female iguanas. Egg binding is a reproductive disorder in which female iguana cannot lay one or more of its eggs, mainly caused by improper husbandry. Physiological and pathological process of egg production such as egg binding in iguanas has to be assessed more. Objectives: In this study, diagnostic value of two modalities, radiography and ultrasonography, have been compared for evaluation of egg binding in green iguana. Methods: In this study ultrasonography and digital radiography were used as non-invasive methods to evaluate and describe dystocia in captive female green iguanas. Ultrasonography was performed in ventral aspect of abdomen in two sagittal and transverse planes. While radiographic images were taken in both dorso-ventral (DV) and lateral projections. Results: Ultrasonography provided more accurate and informative results than digital radiology. Radiography can be used to detect gravidity and presence of large eggs or follicles. Heterogeneous echogenic eggs or follicles, with different egg size, irregularity in egg borders and echogenic free fluid in celomic cavity were detected in egg-bound green iguanas. Among these ultrasongraphic evidences, the strongest sign was presence of echogenic free fluid in celomic cavity. However digital radiography is unable to delineate fluids in celomic cavity following egg binding in green female iguanas. Among two radiographic positioning, dorso-ventral view provides more information than lateral images. Conclusions: In conclusion, when we encounter a female green iguana with clinical signs of egg binding, ultrasonography has more advantages than radiography, however both modalities can be informative

BACKGROUND: This study was initiated to improve our understanding  of the health and environmental impact of silver nanoparticles (Ag-np). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study is application and direct effects of silver nanoparticles on Zebra fish (Danio rerio). METHODS: After characterizing the AgNPs using TEM, EDX, UV-Vis Spectroscopy, XRF and SEM methods, their effects on some vital tissues have been tested successfully in vitro. In this study, 540 fish (2±0.05 g) were randomly divided into 9 groups in triplicate for acute tests (0,10, 50, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 mg/kgfood). After short term (96h), chronic toxicity tests were evaluated using under lethal concentration (100, 400, 600 and 800 mg/kgfood) fed with experimental diet for 8 weeks. Fish in groups 1 to 4 were fed by food supplemented with 100, 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg food, respectively. Group 5 was fed with basal food without supplementation. After histopathology, heavy metals were measured by spectrum photometry reveal. RESULTS: According to the results of acute tests, the 96h LC50 values in 24, 48, 72 and 96h were 804.601, 486.637, 323.696 and 195.208 mg/kgfood AgNPs for the Zebra fishes respectively. According to the results of chronic toxicity tests, fed via oral administration of AgNPs produced significant histopathological effects. Also, the most important histopathological effects of AgNPs were observed in the liver (vasculature and exposure, degeneration of some hepatocytes), intestine (increase in the submucosa layer, narrowing of the intestinal lumen  and reduced intestinal absorption), gills (clubbing of gill secondary lamaleas, hyperplasia, hyperemia and shortening of the primary lamaleas gills) and kidney (degeneration, high increase in interstitial cells and dilatation of Bowman’s space of glomeruli), respectively. The greatest bioaccumulation of silver occurred in the liver, gills and muscle of fish respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The release of untreated nanoparticle waste to the environment should be restricted for the well-being of human and aquatic species.

BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that immune responses, influenced by dietary nutrients but feed formulation is mainly based on the productive responses, so the immunity indexes were ignored. OBJECTIVES: This was carpeted out study to determine the effects of diets formulation based on different expression systems of energy and amino acids of feeds and requirements on performance and immune responses of Arian chicks. METHODS: A total of 1440 Arian chicks were fed Eight diets that arranged in a 2×2×2 factorial design with 2 systems of energy expression (AMEn and TMEn), 2 methods of amino acids content of feeds (TAAF and DAAF) and 2 methods of amino acids requirement (TAAR and DAAR) from 1 to 42 days of age. Each treatment was replicated six times with each replicate consisting of 15 males and 15 females. RESULTS: The results showed that when the Feed formulation was based on TMEn and DAA, the productive parameters increased compared with AMEn and TAA (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Selection for increase the growth rate in poultry, improve metabolic and physiological processes in order to the use of the feed. Therefore lower proportions of nutrients will be allocated to other vital systems. However the most suitable of immune responses were belonging to treatments were fed diets which were set based on AMEn and received high level of amino acids. There is a negative correlation between immune responses and productive parameters. It is recommended that in normal conditions use of TMEn and DAA system and in stress conditions of AMEn and DAAF×TAAR to feed formulation.

BACKGROUND: Honey is recognized as having different biological properties including antioxidant effects. Phenolic acids and flavonoids are the main antioxidant in this apiary product. OBJECTIVES: In this study eight samples of Sabalan honey were screened to evaluate the antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content. METHODS: Antioxidant activity of honey samples was determined by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl) method and β-carotene bleaching assay, total phenolic and flavonoid by Folin-Ciocalteu and Aluminium chloride methods, in addition, in all samples, some physicochemical parameters (pH, acidity, diastase activity, existence or nonexistence of HMF) were measured according to Iranian National Standardization N92. Data were analyzed using ANOVA (one-way). RESULTS: Total phenolic and flavonoid content of honeys ranged respectively from 15.71- 41.58 (mg GAE/100g honey) and 3.80-13.20 (mg QE/100g honey). Antioxidant activity was between 23.19%-94.25%, β-carotene bleaching inhibition 69.54%-85.69%, pH ranged from 3.63-3.83, Acidity 11.99-20.50 mEq/kg , diastase activity of all samples was negative except sample No.1. All samples had positive HMF results. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the above results, it could be concluded that the honey samples have significant antioxidant activity. All parameters of physicochemical test were according to the international specifications except diastase and HMF tests, which may be due to improper processing and storage condition, heating treatment, old honey,etc.

BACKGROUND: Wheat sprout contains a high amount of antioxidants, vitamins (especially vitamin E), minerals and phytoestrogen compounds. Use of medicinal herbs in reducing heavy metal toxicities has increased worldwide. In recent years, negative effects of lead on the male reproductive system and sperm fertility parameters have been shown broadly. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effects of wheat sprout extract (WSE) and vitamin E on sperm parameters and testicular oxidative stress in rats exposed to lead acetate. METHODS: Thirty-five rats were divided randomly into seven groups: G1 (control group) received 1 ml/kg/day of normal saline, G2 received 20 mg/kg/day of lead acetate, G3 and G4 received 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day of WSE respectively, G5 and G6 received 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day of WSE respectively with 20 mg/kg/day of lead acetate, and G7 received 100 mg/kg/day of vitamin E with 20 mg/kg/day of lead acetate. After 35 days, rats were sacrificed and blood, sperm, liver and testicle tissue samples were collected for histomorphological and histochemical studies. RESULTS: Results showed that count, motility and viability of sperms increased following the administration of 200 mg/kg/day of WSE (p<0.01). Histomorphological studies showed a significant increase in tubular differentiation index (TDI), Repopulation index (RI), number of Sertoli cells, and epithelium of seminiferous tubules in groups receiving 200 mg/kg/day of WSE (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Results of the current study show that dose dependent WSE significantly prevents testicular toxicity and oxidative stress effects of lead acetate.

BACKGROUND: Microorganisms are responsible for development of many diseases, which directly or indirectly affect reproductive performance in mares, like various animal species. Fungi are present at mucous membranes of reproductive tract as mycoflora in warm blooded animals. ObjectiveS: The aim of this study was isolation and identification of molds of external reproductive tract in mares. Methods: Samples were collected from genital tract of 151 mares in different ages from horse breeding farms and clubs suburb of Tehran from April to December, 2014. Age, pregnancy, insemination and mating were recorded. Samples were taken by sterile cotton swabs from 3 different sites, (1) vestibule, (2) clitoral fossa and (3) vagina and transferred under cold condition to the laboratory of Mycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran,Iran. Samples were inoculated in Sabouraud glucose agar supplemented with antibiotic (chloramphenicol; 0.005) and kept at 30°C for 10-15 days before being considered negative. Fungal identification relied on morphologic and physiologic features. SPSS Version 20 was used for statistical analysis of the data. Results: Totally, 666 filamentous fungi colonies were isolated. Maximum colony (CFUs) were 20 and 37 colonies for each site and horse, respectively. In total, 81.5 percent of mares and 48.3 percent of different sites were positive. The most predominant isolates were Aspergillus spp 362(54.35%), Scopulariopsis 93(13.96%), Cladosporium 35(5.25%), Penicillium 31(4.65%), Alternaria 26(3.90%), Fusarium 20(3.03%). Aspergillus took high occurrence with 362 and A. fumigatus with 156 colonies followed by Scopulariopsis 93, Cladosporium 35 and Pencillium 31. A. fumigatus had significant difference among other fungi pConclusionS: Isolated filamentous fungi could be resident flora of external reproductive tract of mares. These saprophytic pathogen fungi in predisposing conditions could be causative agents of endometritis and infertility in mares.